Ralph Tribbey

Ralph Edgar Tribbey, 88, of Kankakee, passed away Monday, March 12, 2012 at Bradley Royale Health Care Center after his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Ralph was born November 11, 1923 on the family farm in Rankin, IL to Oscar and Ida (Swanson) Tribbey. Mr. Tribbey graduated from Paxton High School in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army the following year where he proudly served our county in WWII. In 1943, he was discharged after contracting spinal meningitis. In 1947 he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with B.S. in marketing. He was a Track Manager, President of Tau Kappa Epsilon and a member of SERICO. After working at Lamborn and Company in Chicago and Streator Brick Co., he joined Country Companies in Champaign, IL to pursue a career in insurance adjusting. On March 31, 1951 he married Doris Heinig at the First Methodist Church in Paxton, IL. Several years later he became co-owner of Yanor & Tribbey Co. based in Kankakee, IL. He managed the multi-office independent insurance adjusting firm that also had locations in Dixon, LaSalle and Joliet. In 1968 Ralph joined Fitzgerald Insurance Agency as an Insurance Broker and business co-owner. He was Regional Vice-President of Illinois Agents Association and also served on the Transamerica Insurance Group Agents Advisory Board. He retired from Smith Oil Company as Risk Manager in 1994. Ralph was an active member of the community and his church. He was a Past President of the Kankakee Jaycees and Exchange Club of Kankakee. Mr. Tribbey was a member of the Finance Committee at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. He served several terms on the Kankakee County Zoning Board of Appeals. Ralph served on many committees at Asbury United Methodist Church in Kankakee including Trustee. He was a member of the Moose, Elks Lodge and the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Tribbey volunteered at the Asbury Thrift Shop and at the Salvation Army during tax season. Ralph enjoyed playing euchre and bridge, traveling and reading about the Old West.

He is survived by his wife Doris, daughters Kathy Tribbey of Westmont, IL, Cindy (John) Schloendorf of Bourbonnais, IL, grandson Matt Schloendorf and sister Edythe Moody of Foosland, IL.

He is preceded in death by parents, brothers Carl and Harold Tribbey and sister Dorothy Ulrich.

Donations may be given in his name to Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

Ralph has donated his body to science through the Anatomical Gift Society and services will be private at a later date.